This week in banking news - home loans, ANZ cut savings accounts' interest rates and the chances of an October RBA cut
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In this week’s banking recap, we look at ME ditching credit card plans, ANZ’s interest rate cuts on savings accounts, smaller lenders taking on the big banks with home loans and whether the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will cut rates in October.
Will the RBA cut rates in October?
With the RBA’s monthly meeting coming up next week, the big question on everyone’s minds is: will rates be cut once again? The market is fairly confident that the Reserve Bank will go ahead and cut, which would bring the official cash rate down to 0.75%, half of what it was at the beginning of 2019. Plus further cuts could mean even lower home loan interest rates. Stay tuned for more news updates on RBA cuts in the coming days!
Small lenders compete with the big banks for the home loan market
Talking of home loans, with the spring property season well and truly underway, a number of smaller lenders seem intent on taking on the big four, in a bid to take back some of the home loan market share. Online lender loans.com.au launched two new investor home loan products on Tuesday 24th September. Plus, ME Bank also made its voice heard by cutting variable principal and interest and interest-only investor home loan rates by 49 basis points. So if you’re searching for a home loan this spring property season, why not check out our home loans comparison page.
ME bank ditches credit card plans
While ME enjoyed growth in its home loan portfolio this year, on the other end of the scale, the online bank ditched credit card plans, amid the buy now, pay later frenzy. ME’s CEO Jamie McPhee announced plans for more credit card plans last September, but the plans were later abandoned, a fact which McPhee attributes to the growing number of buy now, pay later services, now available in Australia.
Afterpay released statistics earlier this year revealing that only 41% of Aussie millennials use credit cards, a low figure compared to the 58% of young credit card users in 2002. While buy now, pay later could be a large factor in ME’s decision not to introduce more credit card products, Mozo Banking Expert Peter Marshall wasn’t so sure. Marshall suggested that other factors, such as the introduction of new banking regulations may also have caused the online bank to drop its plans.
Of course if you think a credit card could be better for you, then why not head to Mozo’s credit card comparison page, to see what credit card would best suit your lifestyle.
Bad news for ANZ savings account customers
On the topic of interest rate cuts this week, interest rates for the ANZ Progress Saver and ANZ Online Saver also fell by 0.10%. While the ANZ Progress Saver’s base rate remains at 0.01% the bonus rate fell from 1.94% to 1.84%, making the new maximum rate 1.85% (if you meet the bonus rate requirements).
Plus if you’re a current ANZ Online Saver customer, then you might not be too pleased to hear that the base rate for this savings account has been cut from 0.15% to 0.10%. And if you’re a new customer thinking of signing up to the Online Saver account, then your new bonus rate will be 1.75%, with the new maximum rate standing at 1.85%.
If you don’t think you’re getting the best interest rate on your current savings account, then why not head to our savings accounts comparison page to see what else is out there. Or check out the deals below to see if you could be earning more interest on your savings.
Compare savings accounts
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Mozo experts choice awards won:
- High Interest Savings - 2024
Savings Maximiser
5.50% p.a. (for $0 to $100,000)
0.55% p.a.(for $0 and over)
Yes up to $250,000
For customers who have an Orange Everyday account, deposit $1000 into a personal ING account, make 5 eligible transactions and grow their nominated Savings Maximiser account each month.
Great variable rate every month when you grow your balance each month in addition to other eligibility criteria. No ING fees to pay. Save even more with ING Everyday Round Up. Mozo Experts Choice Awards Everyday & Savings Bank of the Year winner for 2024.^
CompareCompareSavings Maximiser
Great variable rate every month when you grow your balance each month in addition to other eligibility criteria. No ING fees to pay. Save even more with ING Everyday Round Up. Mozo Experts Choice Awards Everyday & Savings Bank of the Year winner for 2024.^
- Maximum rate
- 5.50% p.a. (for $0 to $100,000)
- standard interest rate
- 0.55% p.a.(for $0 and over)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- For customers who deposit $1000 from an external source into a personal ING account (excluding Orange One and Living Super), make 5 eligible transactions and grow their nominated Savings Maximiser account each month so there is more in the account at the end of the month than there was at the start of each month (excluding interest). The total bonus interest rate is available on balances up to $100,000 on one Savings Maximiser the next month after meeting eligibility.
- Access
- Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Must be linked to an Orange Everyday transaction account to receive the bonus rate. Where multiple Savings Maximiser Accounts are held, the bonus rate is only applied to one nominated account.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Savings Maximiser
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Reward Saver Account
5.25% p.a. (for $0 to $1,000,000)
0% p.a.(for $0 and over)
Yes up to $250,000
Intro bonus rate of 5.25% for balances up to $1,000,000 for the first 4 months, reverting to 3.25%. Minimum deposit of $50 and no withdrawals.
Introductory bonus rate for balances up to $1,000,000 for the first 4 months. Minimum deposit of $50 and no withdrawals. Start your account online in under 10 minutes and earn interest on balances up to $1,000,000 (T&Cs apply). No monthly account fees, helping you save smarter and faster.
CompareCompareReward Saver Account
Introductory bonus rate for balances up to $1,000,000 for the first 4 months. Minimum deposit of $50 and no withdrawals. Start your account online in under 10 minutes and earn interest on balances up to $1,000,000 (T&Cs apply). No monthly account fees, helping you save smarter and faster.
- Maximum rate
- 5.25% p.a. (for $0 to $1,000,000)
- standard interest rate
- 0% p.a.(for $0 and over)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Intro bonus rate of 5.25% for balances up to $1,000,000 for the first 4 months, reverting to 3.25%. Minimum deposit of $50 and no withdrawals.
- Access
- ATM, EFTPOS, Visa Debit, Cheque book, BPay, Branch access, Phone banking, Internet banking, Bank@Post
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Reward Saver Account
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Savings Account
5.35% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
4.75% p.a.(for $0 to $1,000,000)
Yes up to $250,000
Bonus variable rate is available for the first 4 months.
Competitive introductory variable rate for first 4 months (on deposits up to $250,000). No account keeping fees to pay. Multiple 2024 Mozo Experts Choice Award winner.
CompareCompareSavings Account
Competitive introductory variable rate for first 4 months (on deposits up to $250,000). No account keeping fees to pay. Multiple 2024 Mozo Experts Choice Award winner.
- Maximum rate
- 5.35% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
- standard interest rate
- 4.75% p.a.(for $0 to $1,000,000)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Bonus variable rate is available for the first 4 months.
- Access
- BPay, Branch access, Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Must have a Macquarie Transaction Account to link with.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Savings Account
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Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Kick Start Savings - 2024
High Interest Savings Account
5.75% p.a. (for $0 to $250,001)
4.40% p.a.(for $0 to $250,001)
Yes up to $250,000
Bonus rate for the first 4 months from account opening
Reward yourself with a higher rate for your good savings habits with the Rabobank High Interest Savings Account. No Account keeping fees. No minimum balance. Support Aussie farmers with every dollar you save.
CompareCompareHigh Interest Savings Account
Reward yourself with a higher rate for your good savings habits with the Rabobank High Interest Savings Account. No Account keeping fees. No minimum balance. Support Aussie farmers with every dollar you save.
- Maximum rate
- 5.75% p.a. (for $0 to $250,001)
- standard interest rate
- 4.40% p.a.(for $0 to $250,001)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Bonus rate for the first 4 months from account opening, reverting to standard variable rate. Rate shown is for Personal customers and is subject to change. Different rates apply to Business/SMSF customers.
- Access
- Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Must link to a transaction account
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the High Interest Savings Account
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Savings+Bonus
5.00% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
2.00% p.a.(for $0 to $250,000)
Yes up to $250,000
Minimum $100 monthly deposit and no withdrawals to earn bonus interest each month.
Earn a generous interest rate on your at-call savings (T&Cs apply). Interest is calculated daily and paid to you monthly. A $5 monthly membership fee will not apply if your total account balances with First Option Bank exceed $1,000 or you have a credit card or loan with the bank.
CompareCompareSavings+Bonus
Earn a generous interest rate on your at-call savings (T&Cs apply). Interest is calculated daily and paid to you monthly. A $5 monthly membership fee will not apply if your total account balances with First Option Bank exceed $1,000 or you have a credit card or loan with the bank.
- Maximum rate
- 5.00% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
- standard interest rate
- 2.00% p.a.(for $0 to $250,000)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $5.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Minimum $100 monthly deposit and no withdrawals to earn bonus interest each month.
- Access
- -
- Minimum balance
- $1.00
- Other restrictions
- Must become a First Option Bank member to open an account.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Savings+Bonus
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^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Savings Account Awards
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